Electric tempo device



Patented Mar. 26h, 1940 UNITED STATESg PATENT OFFICE 2,195,255 ELECTRIC TEMPO DEVICE l Charles R. Myers, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application September 27, 193.7, Serial No. 165,875

Claims.

" 'I'his invention relates to an electric tempo device.

The chief object of this inventionis to provide i a device in its simplest form such that it will 5 positively indicate to the conductor of a band, orchestra, symphony, or the like, the exact ybeat orv time.

Another object of the invention 'is to provide a device which maybe so arranged that it will individually indicate to each musician, when `deslred, the same beat or time.

The device has particular utility when employ'ed for the purpose of synchronizing the orchestration with a perfomance, such as various dancing acts, floor-shows, and the like, which particularly emphasize eccentric, aesthetic and acrobatic dancing. y It has been the experience of orchestra, band and like leaders when playing for performances that 'a slight difference in time of the orchestration with reference to the dancing act frequently mars the performance. The present invention, therefore, permits the orchestra leader, for example at rehearsal, to employ the device and recordthe timing which is satisfactory to the performer, or performers, and at the performance, or performances, and on the .same and/or successive days" have this 'selected timing automatically imposed on the orchestration. Thus, the sole responsibility for synchronization between orchestra and performance rests solely upon the performer, or performers, following agreement at rehearsal. The device is capable through manual adjustment, of securing this same synchronization for a plurality of different numbers in the same or subsequent performance. The conductor in this instance serves, as it were, a central control station operator.

Upon receipt of the score andat rehearsal, the conductor, when the timing has been agreed upon between the performer and the conductor, notes the dial reading of the manual adjuster on that score. It is contemplated also that` ultimately various scores will be initially indicated when written so that any conductor having a standard tempo device of the character described, need not go through the rehearsal, scale reading, determination just specified but Iwill merely set thel capable-of indicating 4 4; 3-4` (waltz) 2-'4 and 1-4 tempo. All other tempos, such as 12-8; 6'-8, et cetera, may be Worked out by the operator.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set `forth more fully hereinafter in the de- 5 tailed description of the device and associated system.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the portion of the device,v parts being omitted for clearness.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device, parts being omitted for clearness. y

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of parts of the device and the electrical system including the same.

In the drawing there is illustrated the operative portion of an electric tempo device and Figs. 1 and 2 more especially represent portions of the master control station. The device is illustrated without a complete container but this is merely for purposes of clearness.

In Figs 1 and 2, I0 indicates a base and Il a face plate. Mounted on the base is a support I2 which suitably supports in turn an electric motor I3 which through a speed reducing device I4 drives a shaft I5 in turn rotating at a predetermined speed a friction disc I6. As cantilever support I1 is movedsee Fig. 1frorn slightly off center radially to the right, the speed of rotation of the shaft I8 increases.

The cantilever support I 'I includes two bearings Ila and Ilb and the same slidably receive the'bars or rods 20 carried by the bracket members` 2|, 2Ia and 2lb. The cantilever member I'I has suitably secured to it as atv 22a, the rack 22 whichV meshes with the pinion 23 carried by a shaftv 24 that extends through the face plate Il and mounts on its exposed end the dial member 25. Thus, as the dial member is rotated clockwise, the friction wheel I9 is caused to move toward and away from the center of the disc I, therebydetermining the speed of rotation of the 45 shaft I8 which is associated with a cyclically operable switch arrangement, hereinafter to be f set forth.

The shaft I8 mounts an insulation disc 26 having on its periphery a metallic segment 21 50 and this segment is in electrical contact with an arm 28 preferably insulated at 28a from the shaft I8. Said arm` 28 includes' a hub portion 28h which may be engaged by av spring contact finger 12, so that electrical energy may be continuously 55 supplied to the segment 21 during the rotation of shaft IS. Hub 28h is pinned by insulation pin 28C.

The cantilever' support I1 in turn supper n insulated block or plate 29 suitably sec lcd thereto in diametrical relation with respect to shaft i8 are the spring :lingers 30 and 13?. Thus, in each rotation of the disc 26 current will be supplied for a limited period to any device electrically connected to the spring iinger and similarly to any device electrically the spring finger 3l, except as l1. forth.

The member 2th supports an insulation plate t2 which mounts a metallic strip 33 and the same is adapted. to be engaged by a spring finger 34 carried by an arm 35 in turn carried by the cantilever support member. Thus, as member l1 is moved to the left or right for switch speed adjustment, switch 34 or may not be in electrical contact with plate 33. At relatively high .speeds of rotation oi shaft I8, there will be an open circuit between finger 34 and the metallic conductor or strip 33, and the purpose of this automatic cutout arrangement will be set forth hacinafter.

"here mounted on the face plate l l a switch inc oer which controls a switch structure indicated generally in Fig. l by the numeral 31, en indicated speciically in Fig. 3 by the numeral This is the master switch. It, as hereinafter to be set forth, supplies energy to the motor and to the electric signals. This switch is mentioned at this point for the purpose of describing the immediate iollowing control, to-wit; movable with the switch member 36 is a. member 33 which is connected to a lever arm 39 pivotally supported in bracket ldsee Figs. l and 2-and the lever arm Se rocks a shaft 4l carrying an arm 42.

Slidably supported by the member I1 is the element 43 which has secured to it in depending relation a hook 44--see more especially Fig. 2. A bar or strip fis secured to the opposite end ci member 43 and its opposite end is elongated in opposite directions, as indicated at 45. In therefore, members 45 and 4G constitute a T-shaped structure and the head of the T is slotted as at 41. This is an elongated slot and the headed portion 42aI of the member 42 is seated therein. Member 43 is slidably supported, stated, in the member d2 shown in Figs. l and 2, carried by arm l1 and member 29.

The purpose or the aforesaid mechanism is as oliows: When the switch member 3E is pushed i to open the motor circuit, the shaft 4l is r cked clockwise-see 2-and member 45 t gether with member is moved to the rights e Fig. 2-0: toward the face lI--see Fig` 2. This moves the hook '44 into position immediately on that face carries a pin 5B which in the l n counterclockwise of wheel i9 seats in the hook portion and thus further rotation of wheel l:1 is prevented, even though the momentum or the rotating parts be suoli that the armature of the motor and the various other associated parts, including the disc IG, continues i attempts to continue to rotate.

,nnection between the friction wheel I9 and e i`"`ction wheel i6 is such should there be adonal rotational movement afte the energy to the motor i3 is cut off, the friction wheel i9 will always remain in this position until the circuit is again closed.

When the circuit is closed by pulling out on The driving v switch 35 to secure motor operation, the hook 44 is withdrawn and the cyclic switch device always starts the signal indications in predetermined relation so that upon successive initiation of operation, the signals will always be started at the same relative time with reference to the period of rotation.

The device includes a pair of visual signals in the form of lamps. Herein the lamp LI is indicated as of red color and the other lamp L2 is indicated as of blue color. They are secured either on the base or by a bracket carried by the lace plate, as desired, and are visible through the transparent or translucent closure i in the opening 52 in the face plate.

There is also supported by the base ID an audible signal GD which has a plunger 6| therein, and thc is actuated by a solenoid 19 which causes the plunger to elevate and strike a soundf 2. Two of these sounding block signals are providedsee Fig. 3-although only one is shown in 2. For clearness, as stated, certain parts have been omitted in certain of the figures, towit, the visual signals shown in Fig. 1 are not sli-.own in Fig. 2 and the audible signal devices shown in Fig. 2 are not illustrated in Fig. l. The face plate ll is apertured as at S3 adjacent the audible signals Sl and S2 and the opening is closed by an ornamental screen 64 through which the tone is heard.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 3 which is the wiring diagram, and which shows the several electrical connections. In said figure, 65 indicates a terminal plug with the prongs 66 adapted for connection to any conventional outlet socket. cord or cable includes the two lines 61 and GS. These are controlled by the switch 31 previously referred to and illustrated in Fig. l in elevation. The line 68 controlled by the switch 31 has one branch 10 connected to the electric motor i3. The other line 61 is similarly connected to the motor as at 1|. The line 68 is connected to the contact finger 12 before mentioned, which rides on the hub of the member 28 and insulated from the shaft i8. The segment 21 is shown in this gure on the disc 26; likewise, the member 28. The two fingers 33 and 3| are similarly illustrated. A line 13 connects by one branch 14 to the red master light signal Ll and another branch thereon 15 connects by line 16 to one terminal of the primary 11 of a transformer the secondary 18 of which is connected to the winding 1S of the audible signal GU having the striker El for engaging the sounding block the unit being designated in 3 not only by these numerals but also by the designation Si.

The other switch ringer 3i is connected by line 3l? to the spring 35 and the ternir-1l bar 33 (on the insulated plate 32) connected by line 8l to one terminal of the switch. E2 and the other terminal of switch 82 is connected by line -s ene terminal of the primary winding 11o., a transformer, the secondary 18e. of which is block S2 suitably supported as at (i3- see line 89 therefrom is connected at 9| to the line 85.

The operation of the master tempo device is as follows:

When the switch member 36 is actuated to energize the device, including the electric motor, after the dial has been properly adjusted to the desired position corresponding to the tempo desired, the initial positioning device (hook M) is retracted and maintained in the retracted position as long as the master switch 31 is closed. In the rotation of the disc switch, current is alternately supplied to switch contact ngers 39 and 3|. Current supplied to switch contact finger 30 energizes the visual signal L| and at the same time energizes the primary winding 11 of the `audible signal SI to secure an audible tone from the block 62. This latter signal indication is obtained provided the switch 90 is in closed relation. If in open circuit relation, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the audible signal Sl will not be sounded. In certain types of programs the audible signal would be of very interfering character and consequently thereis provided this manual cutout. This switch is not shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for clearness.

Current supplied to switch contact 3| is supplied through the switch 35--33 and the switch 82 to the signal L2 by line 92. This line 8| also supplies energy by line 83 to the primary of the second audible signal S2 unless the switch 90 is in open circuit relation as shown in Fig. 3. It will thus be noted that switch 90 is adapted to simultaneously cut out both audible signals.

It has been previously set forth that if the speed of rotation of the disc 26 is sufliciently great, the movable parts shown in Fig. 1 will be shifted sufficiently to the right so as to have the switch member 34 engage the insulated portion 32 and not the metallic terminal switch 33. In

1 this event the switch 35-33 would be in open circuit relation and in that even no current would be supplied either to the audible signal S2, even if switch 90 were closed, and the visual signal L2 as well.

If the device is arranged for 4 4 time` the signal L|, for example, and then signal L2 will be energized in succession, giving the desired tempo or beat as set forth initially herein, and repeating same. In the event the tempo increases, then automatically the beat is but a single beat or indication such as LI only for each revolution of the cyclic switch disc 26. For waltz time, the switch 82 is utilized. This cuts vout signals L2 and S2 so that only signal LI is energized. Possibly signal S| (if switch 90 is closed) is energized. but to secure waltz time, the single light L| is energized at the desired interval by adjusting the dial to secure the equivalent of three signal indications per unit of time equal to the` four signal indications theretofore obtained from two signals for .the same unit of time.

Reference will now be had to the lower portion of Fig. 3. In it there is designated a terminal block having successive groups of three stations, each designated by the numerals ||l| |02-|03. All like stations are connected in multiple. Stations |0| are connected by line |04 to the line and thus are in multiple with the L| signal. Stations |02 or the common line is connected by line |05 to line 81. The stations |03 are connected by line |06 to line 83 as shown and are in multiple with the second signal L2. A suitable terminal plug having three prongs, the plug being indicated by numeral |01, connects the three sub-master lines |08, |09 and ||0 to the three master lines |04, |05 and |06, respectively, before mentioned. Through another plug as shown, these sub-master lines being associated with a supplementary tempo unit designated by the letter A. Herein two such units A andA are illustrated. Each includes the two visual signals and two audible signals. Visual signals LI and L2 and the two audible signals Sl and S2 are included in unit A. The supplementary unit A' includes the two visual signals L| and L2 and the two audible signals S| and S"2.

The electrical connections to the aforesaid are as illustrated and control and operation of the same is substantially the same as that set forth with respecty to the master tempo unit,` except there is provided in the audible signal return line HZ of unit A a manual switch 3 which is arranged to cut out the audible signals S'l energization of these signals is derived from the master unit visual signal supply and not independentlythereof and not through the master unit audible signal supply. Similarly unit A includes switch ||3 in return line ||2 for control of the audible signals S| and S2.

An auxiliary unit may be permanently mounted on the music stand of each musician. When each musician is to be provided with such a supple-` mentary unit, the cable connection indicated by the plug |01, plug and the lines |08, |09 and ||0 are connected to the terminal plug |00 and the supplementary unit in the proper relationship, as shown in Fig. k3.

The utility of the device having been previously set forth, the operation of the master control mechanism having been previously set forth, and the individual operation of the signals under the respective conditions of control, it is believed no further description of any of the parts of the device as a whole is necessary.

While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specification and similarly illustrated in the drawing, the same is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character. The various modifications herein dis- .zo and S'2 whenever desired. This is because the closed, as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

'I'he invention claimed is:

1. An electric tempo device or metronome including, in combination, a source of current, a constantly rotating shaft, a switch means cyclically operable thereby, an adjustable speed changing device therebetween for varying the periodicity of switch means operation, signal means of multiple character, circuit means connecting the signal means to the source of current, said signal means being successively energized by said switch means, another switch means interposed in the circuit means between one of said signal means and the first mentioned switch means, and means connecting the second mentioned switch means to the speed changing device for conditioning the second mentioned switch means for operation and non-operation for circuit control of current to the second mentioned signal means depending upon speed changing device adjustment.

2. A device or metronome of the character defined by claim l, characterized by the speed changing device being of relatively movable wheel and disc character, and the second mentioned switch means being of relatively sldable character, one member thereof being l Lovable in proportion to the speed changing device relative movement through said connecting means.

3. An electric tempo device or metronome including, in combination, a source of current, a constantly rotating shaft, a switch cyciically cperable thereby, a circuit connecting same to the souce of current, an adjustable speed changing device between the shaft and switch, visual signal means of multiple character in said circuit and energized successively by said switch, a pair o signals jointly indicating four-four time, and manually operable switch means interposed between the switch and one of the signals for obtaining three-four time indication from the other signal.

4. In a universal metronome the combination with an electric motor, speed reducer, turnable rotatable thereby, and a power wheel adjustable relative thereto and rotatable thereby, of a single rotatable switch member rotatable by the power Wheel at different speeds, one revolution of said member constituting a cycle, a pair of switches, duplicate signal means each controlled by one of the switches, each signal means being successively actuable by the switch member and operable at half cycles, another switch structure connected in series circuit relation with one of the pair of switches, and means for adjusting the power wheel relative to the turntable for cycle rate variation by varying the speed of said wheel and for simultaneously controlling the second mentioned switch.

5. A device or metronome of the characte;` defined by claim l, characterized by the addition of arnanually operable switch means in the circuit means interposed between the first mentioned switch means and the second mentioned switch means controlled signal for obtaining three-four time indication from the signal other than the last mentioned, second mentioned switch means 20 controlled, signal, both signals when energized jointly indicating four-four time.

CHARLES R. MYERS. 

